Travelers Announces Pledge to Help Reduce U.S. Greenhouse Emissions

Travelers announced on Wednesday its pledge to reduce total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by seven percent from 2006 to 2011. The initiative is a result of the company’s participation in Climate Leaders, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) industry-government partnership that works with companies to develop comprehensive climate change strategies. 
 
“By setting a long-term greenhouse gas reduction goal and committing to reducing its carbon footprint, Travelers is demonstrating corporate climate change leadership," said Robert J. Meyers, principal deputy assistant administrator of EPA's Office of Air and Radiation. 
 
Climate Leaders participants commit to reducing their impact on the global environment by completing a corporate-wide inventory of their greenhouse gas emissions, setting reduction goals and annually reporting their progress. The EPA estimates that by achieving their greenhouse gas reduction goals, partners will prevent the equivalent to the annual emissions of more than seven million cars from entering the atmosphere. 
 
“As part of our commitment to reducing the impact of Travelers’ activities on the environment, we have been focused on limiting emissions and increasing the efficiency of our operations for several years,” said Andy Bessette, executive vice president and chief administrative officer of Travelers. “We’re proud of our pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to be an industry leader dedicated to improving the global environment.” 
 
Travelers’ effort to reduce the negative impact of climate change doesn’t stop with the Climate Leaders program. Travelers established a Climate Change Committee dedicated to identifying emerging risks that may require new underwriting strategies or the development of new insurance coverages that are responsive to a changing climate. Some examples include: a 10 percent insurance discount for hybrid drivers, insurance programs for wind power farms and other emerging clean energy technology, and Boiler & Machinery policies providing for the incremental cost to replace machinery, including that which is more efficient and environmentally friendly. 
 
Additionally, Travelers’ two largest campuses in Saint Paul, Minn., and Hartford, Conn., received the EPA's ENERGY STAR® label, distinguishing these buildings as among the most energy efficient in the United States. The company is also actively involved in the Business Roundtable Climate Resolve Project, CERES, the Carbon Disclosure Project and the Pew Center’s Business Environmental Leadership Council. 
 
About Travelers 
 
The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV) is a leading property casualty insurer selling primarily through independent agents and brokers. The company’s diverse business lines offer its global customers a wide range of coverage in both the personal and commercial settings, including automobile, homeowners, construction, small business, oil and gas, ocean marine, surety and management liability, global technology and public sector services. Travelers is a Fortune 100 company, with 2006 revenues of $25.09 billion and total assets of $113.76 billion. The company has approximately 33,000 employees.